Old Light on New Worship: Musical Instruments and the Worship of God, a Theological, Historical and Psychological Study

by John Price

Old Light on New Musical Instruments and the Worship of God
by John Price with a Forword by Edward Donnelly
A theological, historical and psychological study of the place of musical instuments in the worship of God. "I enthusiastically recommend this book on congregational worship. It is a great relief to have access to a scholarly modern examination of the question, 'What musical instruments are and which are not permissible in the public worship of God?' For clarity and fulness of treatment, yet at the same time for courtesy and pastoral wisdom, this short study on an aspect of the regulative principle is first-class. I highly recommend it to church members as well as to ministers of the gospel."- Maurice Roberts

Genres: Religion, Music, Theology

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Luke Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have previously read " Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church" by John Girardeau, which is quoted throughout this work. Girardeau was instrumental in me accepting a capella worship as biblical, and I already affirmed the thesis of Price's book before picking it up. That being said, this present work was a great blessing to read. The one negative is he is repetitive at times. But his argument is very clear and biblical. The 3 appendices at the end are very pastoral and answer some of the questions I had for my own future church, should God call me to pastor. I highly recommend this work for anyone who has not seriously considered (or even flippantly dismissed with "haven't you read Psalm 98, 147, and 150?") the historic Reformed and Baptist form of worship.

[Daniel Poe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book addressing the question of whether musical instruments have any place in the New Testament Church’s worship of God, answering it in the negative, based on what the Scriptures teach and the testimony of the Church of God through history. Various objections raised against their non-usage were addressed well.

The chapters on the psychology of music, and the importance of singing as a gospel ordinance were also of great benefit.

The appendices are helpful in providing practical applications to personal, family, and church life.

I gladly recommend this book to those looking into this question, and why the majority of the Church in her history (the church fathers, Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, the Westminster divines, the Puritans, John Gill, John L. Girardeau, C. H. Spurgeon, etc.) hold to this position.

This will also be useful for those who want to understand more deeply and strengthen their convictions on why musical instruments have no place in the NT Church, and only a cappella singing is most proper for the NT Church’s worship.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a lot of value in the argumentation of this book. The glaring flaw is Price’s use of sources. Many of the quotes he utilizes are second or third-hand. Price does not interact with primary sources especially for ancient authors and reformers. This makes tracking down some of his quotes quite difficult. On occasion Price does also seem to abuse some quotes, but this is minor. Otherwise I think this makes for a great book but one that needs some better editing and research.

[Tim Renshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convinced me.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not convincing. Too many arguments based on 'rational worship', whatever that may be! The whole argument requires a quasi dispensational reading of the Bible, which never questions the assumptions behind the church fathers and the reformers on this subject, I.e., a pagan Greek suspicion of music.

[Rkeddins · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book gives a good historical view of "reformed" church worship. The book is too repetitive and repetitive. The author makes too many illogical leaps of logic that lead to poor conclusions.

[Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, lots of documented research. Will not be popular with many because of our society and the infiltration of "culture" into the church.